JONATHAN Brown is hoping Saturday's return against Fremantle completes a full circle after a horror 12 months for the Brisbane Lions skipper.

Brown sustained the first of three severe facial injuries when the Lions played the Dockers in round one at the Gabba in 2011 when he copped an accidental knee from Freo defender Luke McPharlin that resulted in a fractured jaw, cheekbone and eye socket.

Brown's return comes six weeks after suffering a fractured cheekbone from a training collision with teammate Matt Maguire.

It will be his first senior match since a horrendous collision against Geelong in round 17 last year.

Brown, 30, said he had completed "controlled contact" at training and would have a full hit-out on Wednesday.

He said the frustration of the most recent injury had now given way to excitement.

"It's been a tough 12 months," Brown said.

"Those things happen in footy, I just put it down to a bit of bad luck and hopefully the Fremantle game is the start of some good luck now.

"Maybe the same opponent will bring some closure to the whole affair."

After an uninterrupted pre-season prior to his most recent fracture, Brown said the rest of his body was in perfect condition.

"With the exception of the first week, it's virtually like I've been suspended really," he said.

"Where I take confidence is my preparation over the whole pre-season and the last four or five weeks.

"Through doing it so many times over the years I know how to prepare myself in this situation and I'll just back myself in that physically I'll be ready to go on the weekend."

He has watched the Lions start the season with a 1-1 record after a strong win against Melbourne was followed by a poor fade-out against Carlton last Thursday night.

Brown, perched on 498 career goals, said there was no apprehension about playing.

"The first injury last year against the Dockers was a lot worse injury so there was apprehension then, but this one was a straight forward injury," he said.

"It's just more the excitement of getting out there. The frustration for me has been that I haven't really had much continuity in my footy the last two years, so out of that frustration comes excitement to get out there and play footy."

The triple premiership forward is a notoriously fast starter after a layoff.

In his first match back against North Melbourne last year, Brown kicked four goals on a wet night and helped the Lions snap a seven-game losing streak to start its season.

He said not having his good mate Simon Black (fractured hand) alongside him had tempered his excitement.

"Knowing he's not going to be there this weekend is a big blow for the club. Obviously I love playing with him. It's a good challenge for the group. I think Blacky's probably the hardest bloke for our team to cover but I think the group's ready to stand up and contribute and make up for his loss."

Michael Whiting covers Brisbane Lions news for AFL.com.au. Follow him on Twitter: @AFL_mikewhiting